After Looking At All The MCU’s Releases, I’m Convinced These Are The Franchise’s 10 Biggest Wasted Opportunities

There is no doubt that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)

is a huge entertainment engine, but there are a couple of missteps along the way that could have been so much better with a little tweaking. Since 2008, the MCU has been defying all expectations and creating an enormous shared story that continues to earn billions at the box office. However, that doesn’t make it infallible.

While the MCU has delivered some home run stories like Avengers: Endgame, the wider MCU has occasionally set its sights on projects that were unattainable. Or, on occasion, a story from the comics with a lot of potential was adapted in a disappointing way. Whatever the case, the fact is that the MCU has had its fair share of sour moments.

10

Secret Invasion’s Story Has Some Huge Missed Potential

Emilia Clarke's G'iah with a mix of powers in Secret Invasion (2023)

One of the most disappointing outings in the Multiverse Saga was something with so much potential. Secret Invasion is one of the most spectacular comic book stories ever made, spanning dozens of comics and years of time. In the story, there are numerous heroes who are unmasked to be Skrull’s hiding on Earth, and the showdown to end the invasion is epic.

However, in the MCU’s version, the story was scaled way back in order to work in a TV format, with a smaller budget, and less crossover with the headline movies and characters. And ultimately, this made a story that should have been epic and sprawling, seem small, and unimportant. This would have been so much better as a Saga, rather than a limited series.

9

Hulk’s Son Skaar Appeared With No Backstory

Skaar at the end of She-Hulk Attorney at Law looking offscreen

So, Hulk was able to roam freely on Sakaar without the intervention of Bruce Banner. However, upon returning to Earth, and Bruce Banner gaining control of their shared body, it’s revealed that Hulk has a son named Skaar. But this moment comes so suddenly, and with no explanation or expansion, because it’s simply dropped in as a post-credit tease in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.

Marvel has a lot to explain with this one, including if Bruce has any actual connection to his new “son,” since Hulk was in the driving seat. And does Skaar like Bruce, or feel cheated that his father, Hulk, is now just a body occupied by Banner’s brain? It’s so complex, and so bizarre, but the MCU did nothing to further explain or ensure the origin would eventually be revealed.

8

Not Giving Scorpion An Actual Villain Story After Spider-Man: Homecoming

Michael Mando as Mac Gargan talking to Vulture in Spider-Man Homecoming's Scorpion tease

When Michael Mando showed up in the Spider-Man: No Way Home post-credits scene playing Mac Gargan, it was a revelatory moment. The character has never appeared in live-action before, and Mando is the perfect casting for the role. But then, Far From Home came out and Mac was nowhere to be seen. A few years later, No Way Home arrives, and again, Mac is AWOL.

Scorpion is one of the most terrifying rivals in the animated shows and comics, and Mando is a phenomenal bad guy as seen in his other works. Not capitalizing on this casting is an affront, and the fact that it’s almost been a decade with no update since Homecoming is disappointing. Potentially it can still happen in the future, but Marvel needs to get on top of this character ASAP.

7

Donald Glover Was Ready To Introduce Prowler & Miles Morales Years Ago

Donald Glover as Aaron Davis talking to Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Homecoming

Speaking of unrealized potential from Spider-Man: Homecoming, another incredibly exciting moment that plays out early in the movie is when Donald Glover shows up as a weapons dealer by the name of Aaron. He reveals that he has a nephew, and quickly, fans put two and two together that this was none other than Prowler, and his nephew was Miles Morales, aka, the next Spider-Man.

Glover is an outstanding actor, and someone who has long had a pᴀssion for the character of Miles Morales, and while he may be a little too old to play that character in the MCU, it’s not too late to bring him back as the Prowler, as he was set up to be in 2017. With Spider-Man: Brand New Day coming out in 2026, there is a chance this could come full circle, but it needs to happen now.

6

Starfox Is The Brother Of Thanos In The Comics

Harry Styles as Eros/Starfox in the post-credits scene of Eternals

It’s exciting enough that global pop star Harry Styles was cast in a role in the MCU, but having him play Starfox and appear in the post-credits was a mind-blowing reveal. In fact, since the movie ended up being so poorly received, it’s possible that this scene alone was one of the most exciting parts of the movie, especially because of the character that Styles is playing.

Styles plays Starfox, aka the brother of the Mad тιтan, Thanos. In the comics, this relationship is a pivotal part of their stories, and it’s one that could have been incredible to see adapted on the big screen. However, with the fate of the Eternals not looking good, Starfox may be retired before he ever gets a chance to tell his side of the story. But hopefully the character and his origin can be revisited down the road.

5

Bill Foster’s Giant-Man Never Came Back After His First Appearance

Bill Foster comforting Ghost in Ant-Man and the Wasp

In Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scott Land meets an old friend of Hank Pym, Bill Foster, who used to team up with Hank on missions. Foster is played by Laurence Fishburne, a legend in his own right, who added gravity and intensity to his complex role. And while this was a clear set-up for Bill Foster’s Giant-Man to make an appearance down the line, it never materialized.

Considering his connection with Ava Starr, there were some plans to have him return for Thunderbolts* alongside his adopted daughter (via The Wrap), but that also didn’t happen. Now, the character appears to have disappeared into the background, with dwindling hopes that he will ever return again.

4

Agents of SHIELD Was Sidelined Despite Efforts To Connect To The MCU

Jemma Simmons, Daisy Johnson, Grant Ward, Melinda May and Leo Fitz in Agents of SHIELD season 1

After the MCU was a proven concept, with Phase One establishing a successful foundation for the sprawling universe, and The Avengers proving a big hit, Marvel wanted to branch out in other mediums. As a result, Marvel established Agents of SHIELD as a spin-off TV show for the MCU, which would still be connected to the events of the movies. Phil Coulson returned from the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ, and his role as a secret spy helped to explain the disconnect from the heroes.

However, the show did feature cameos from Nick Fury and Maria Hill, as well as a handful of other characters who were involved in SHIELD or HYDRA. Despite the best efforts of the show to keep up and remain connected to the MCU, eventually, they were left behind, and forced to fend for themselves. The show continued for seven seasons, and continued to get more adventurous with the storytelling, but the disconnect was disappointing.

3

Peter Quill Could Have Explored His Celestial Powers A Little More Before They Disappeared

Peter Quill aka Star-Lord discovers his Celestial powers in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2

In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Peter Quill meets his father. However, Quill learns that Ego, the Living Planet, is not a good guy. Despite an initial connection and a desire to reconnect, Peter saw how his father was evil, and the harm he caused wherever he went, so he and the other Guardians worked together to destroy Ego.

However, this also severed Quill’s connection with his father, who possessed Celestial power that his son also shared. Quill could materialize things with his mind thanks to these Celestial powers. But, Marvel likely needed to nerf his powers, and ensure he stayed the lovable goofball he always was, so rather than limited powers, Peter became completely mortal once his father died.

2

Gorr The God Butcher Barely Fought Any Gods In Thor: Love & Thunder

Christian Bale is one of the most incredible actors of his generation. He can transform for his roles, and become whatever the project calls for, whether that’s a hero, a monster, or something somewhere in between. So, when he was tagged to play Gorr the God Butcher, it was an incredibly exciting premise for this terrifying character to arrive on the big screen.

However, while Gorr in the comics manages to tear through countless gods, the version that appears in the MCU is considerably less impressive. Yes, he stands up to gods, and he can be intimidating, but the full impact is not felt when this character amounts to something far less powerful. Seeing even a handful of other battles between Gorr and the gods could have significantly enhanced how terrifying he is as a villain.

1

The MCU Barely Showed The Avengers Interacting In Between Battles

The Thunderbolts* really put into perspective how much of a family The New Avengers became. In the same way, the Guardians of the Galaxy were given time and space to build their connection with each new release. But, when it comes to the original Avengers, the team was actually largely a group of strangers and solo acts.

With solo movies, the characters got time to explore their stories, but the team-up movies were a fast-paced race to the end. If the heroes were given a little more time to bond, rather than a post-credits clip of them sharing shawarma silently, it might have made their dynamic even better. They did form some friendships in the group, but there was a lot more potential to explore this than was ended up appearing on-screen in the MCU.